[Produced by Kanye West]
[Intro]
R.O.C., we running this rap sh**
Memphis Bleek, we running this rap sh**
B. Mac, we running this rap sh**
Freeway, we run this rap sh**
O & Sparks, we running this rap sh**
Chris & Neef, we running this rap sh**
[Verse 1]
The takeover, the break's over, n***a
God MC – me – Jay-Hova
Hey lil soldier you ain't ready for war
R.O.C. too strong for y'all
It's like bringing a knife to a gunfight, pen to a test
Your chest in the line of fire with your thin-a** vest
You bringing them boys to men, how them boys gonna win?
This is grown man B.I., get you rolled into triage, bi-atch
Your reach ain't long enough, dunny
Your peeps ain't strong enough, f**er
Roc-A-Fella is the army, better yet the navy
n***as'll kidnap your babies, spit at your lady
We bring knife to fistfight, k** your drama
We k** you motherf**in' ants with a sledgehammer
Don't let me do it to you dunny ‘cause I overdo it
So you won't confuse it with just rap music
[Hook]
R.O.C., we running this rap sh**
M Easy, we running this rap sh**
The Broadstreet Bully, we running this rap sh**
Get zipped up in plastic when it happens, that's it
Freeway, we running this rap sh**
O & Sparks, we running this rap sh**
Chris & Neef, we running this rap sh**
("Watch out! We run New York")
[Verse 2]
I don't care if you Mobb Deep, I hold triggers to crews
You little f**, I got money stacks bigger than you
When I was pushing weight, back in '88
You was a ballerina, I got the pictures I seen ya
Then you dropped "Shook Ones," switched your demeanour
Well, we don't believe you, you need more people
Roc-A-Fella students of the game, we pa**ed the cla**
‘Cause nobody can read you dudes like we do
Don't let 'em gas you like "Jigga is a** and won't clap you"
Trust me on this one, I'll detach you
Mind from spirit, body from soul
They'll have to hold a ma**, put your body in a hole
No, you're not on my level, get your brakes tweaked
I sold what your whole album sold in my first week
You guys don't want it with Hov
Ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov, no!
[Hook]
R.O.C., we running this rap sh**
M Easy, we running this rap sh**
The Broadstreet Bully, we running this rap sh**
Get zipped up in plastic; when it happens, that's it
Freeway, we running this rap sh**
O & Sparks, we running this rap sh**
Chris & Neef, we running this rap sh**
("Watch out! We run New York")
[Verse 3]
I know you missing Nas the (fame)
But along with celebrity comes about 70 shots to your frame n***a
You a (lame)
You's the f*g model for Karl Kani, Esco ads
Went from Nasty Nas to Esco's trash
Had a spark when you started, but now you're just garbage
Fell from top 10 to not mentioned at all
To your bodyguard's "Oochie Wally"'s verse better than yours
Matter of fact, you had the worst flow on the whole f**ing song
But I know: the sun don't shine, then son don't shine
That's why your (lame) career's come to an end
It's only so long fake thugs can pretend
n***a, you ain't live it, you witnessed it from your folks' pad
You scribbled it in your notepad and created your life
I showed you your first TEC (me, that's who)
On tour with Large Professor
Then I heard your album about your TEC on the dresser
So yeah, I sampled your voice, you was using it wrong
You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song
And you ain't get a coin n***a, you was getting f**ed then
I know who I paid, God – Serchlite publishin'
Use your (brain)
You said you've been in this 10
I've been in it five – smarten up, Nas
Four albums in 10 years, n***a? I could divide
That's one every... let's say two; two of them sh**s was due
One was "nah," the other was Illmatic
That's a one-hot-album-every-10-year average
And that's so (lame)
n***a, switch up your flow
Your sh** is garbage; what you trying to kick, knowledge?
You n***as gonna learn to respect the king
Don't be the next contestant on that Summer Jam screen
Because you-know-who did you-know-what
With you-know-who, but let's keep that between me and you
[Hook]
R.O.C., we running this rap sh**
M Easy, we running this rap sh**
The Broadstreet Bully, we running this rap sh**
Get zipped up in plastic; when it happens, that's it
Freeway, we running this rap sh**
O & Sparks, we running this rap sh**
Chris & Neef, we running this rap sh**
("Watch out! We run New York")
[Verse 4]
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
‘Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
So stop with that childish sh**, n***a I'm grown
Please leave it alone, don't throw rocks at the throne
Do not bark up that tree, that tree will fall on you
I don't know why your advisers ain't forewarn you
Please, not Jay, he's not for play
I don't slack a minute, all that thug rappin' and gimmicks
I will end it, all that yappin' be finished
You are not deep, you made your bed now sleep
Don't make me expose you to them folks that don't know you
n***a, I know you well, all the stolen j**-els
Twinkletoes, you're breaking my heart
You can't f** with me; go play somewhere, I'm busy
And all you other cats throwing shots at Jigga
You only get half a bar – f** y'all n***as!